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Parent Success Stories

A Mom Brings the Message Home

Teresa, a former television sales professional, had the opportunity to preview the “Love Mom & Dad” public service announcement, which promotes open parent-child communication and responsible condom use. Inspired by what she saw, she took the tape home to share with her daughter.

Using the ad as a conversation tool, “immediately put my daughter at ease, since this was an impersonal way to look at the subject, not just something her mom was trying to program into her,” says Teresa.

Viewing the ad together led to a conversation about the importance of open communication about condoms. “That's the one thing that kids who are having sex are NOT doing and they really need to,” said her daughter. “Kids are going to get pregnant and catch diseases because they are not using condoms.”

Their conversation also explored teen sexuality as a healthcare issue. “I had to drop my fear and control and judgment, and simply be her healthcare advocate. I let her know that even though we have discussed waiting for sex, I would respect her and stand by her no matter what decisions she made, but that it was important she take the health issues very seriously and be responsible.”

Since then, Teresa’s daughter has shared many stories about her peers — their behavior, attitudes, incidents of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. “What has been especially rewarding is that she is sharing her views on her own sexual life and how she is handling it — without ever being questioned by me about it,” says Teresa. “What I am hearing from her is a responsible, thoughtful plan for herself.”

“I believe The New 3Rs most effectively begins with parents respecting their children. This approach woke me up and broke a pattern of non-communication between parents and children that has been part of my family for generations, with devastating consequences. I believe The New 3Rs can and will make a long term improvement in our society, and I applaud it.”

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